Support with limiting collar for casing string, for locking by abutment above the mandrel of the drilling equipment

ABSTRACT

To lock the coating column to the probing equipment chuck. The equipment consists of a support ( 1 ) used between the probing equipment hoist and the coating tube column (for gas/oil shaft cementing). Prior to its threaded nozzle ( 5 ), the support ( 1 ) gets a collar ( 6 ) with a diameter bigger that the probing equipment chuck (M) opening radius. When the chuck cylindrical bracket (M) is opened, for inserting or removing the coating column (R) along with the drilling shaft (PO), in case of probing hoist cable (CA) breakage, as an example, the sudden lowering of a coating column inside the shaft (PO) is prevented by the collar ( 6 ) locking over the chuck (M) open cylindrical support in a stopper system. This way, expensive and time-consuming procedures for recovering coating columns (R) from the gas/oil probe drilling shaft (PO) bottom are avoided.

The descriptive report hereof refers to a patent of invention request for a collar adapted in the lifting support (up/down) of a coating column, which was developed to allow a system to prevent the drop of coating tubes mounted inside the drilling shaft during its insertion and removal, and if needed, with the help of the oil/gas probing equipment lifting system.

By the proposed system, in case of probe main hoist cable rupture, if the mounted coating assembly start to drop loose inside the shaft, the lifting support collar, due to its dimensioning, shall form a stopper locking over the chuck open brackets of the probing equipment, preventing the sudden drop and thus avoiding additional rescue procedures (hook methods) of said tools in this coating and cementing drop phase.

Technique Status

As it is known, in probing systems to extract gas/oil, there should be used a set of drilling rods in a column-like assembly that spin alongside its chaplet drill or drill, drilling the ground gradually.

For instance, the patent document PI 0010106-0 so-called “DEVICE FOR HANDLING DRILLING RODS”, may be mentioned, which was requested in Apr. 4, 2000, making the positioning and alignment of rods together with the drilling column easier.

Anyhow, over the drilling process, the shaft wall must be coated and cemented in all individual places, as it is hindrance-free so the drill may go through safely. For such, in this coating and cementing phase, it is used a column called coating column (consists of threaded tubes between its ends, with threaded boxes and pins of a male-female system).

The rod assembly, the ones which comprise the coating column is made from a bracket with an eyelet, a connector receptor of a cable linked to the probe lifting system, along with the probing platform. The bracket is screwed to the threaded pin of the first tube through its threaded nozzle, which is lead by the probe hoist to the chuck that is already installed into the platform, aligned to the shaft head. After this tube is locked by chuck brackets and as its tubular structure is already partially inserted inside the shaft, the bracket is then unscrewed. In the platform, such bracket is screwed to the threaded pin of a following tube, which is lead and its threaded box is screwed to the threaded pin of the first tube that is already fixed to the chuck. After screwing on tube to another (between threaded box and pin), chuck brackets are opened so the column may be formed, now “loose”, and may be lowered inside the shaft by the probe hoist for cementing the void gap between the shaft wall, and then the procedure is repeated continuously according to the program as long as the shaft is deepened.

At that moment, the entire column weight is supported by the bracket eyelet, by the lowering and lifting system cable of the probe column.

In such condition, the big weight applied by the column may break the cable or the eyelet itself in case of material defaults, resulting in the tubular coating column drop already assembled and lowered inside the shaft, which surpass the bracket-opened chuck as it drops within the shaft. This occurrence, clearly undesirable, results in interruptions on this coating phase, requiring the set to be “rescued” by using specific hooking method equipment in the gas/oil shaft, then it can be detrimental and time-consuming in probing operations.

Purpose of Patent

This support suffers an adaptation, purpose of such patent request, which shall be caused by stopper system locking against the chuck cylindrical bracket, if the cable or eyelet breaks (of said support) in the moment the tube set is lifted, then positioned by the probe hoist to be lowered down inside the shaft.

In a superficial explanation, the support goes through its new structure and the system enveloping it, which shall be better detailed by the drawings attached.

Picture 1 extracted from document PI 0010106-0 represents the abovementioned technique status, showing a device to help drilling and probing equipment. Such assembly is formed by a spin head set due to a swinging arm, cylindrical bracket with limited opening and closing, which comprises an elongated support and rod clips. Through such assembly, the drill rods are transported from a power structure to an operation initial start and they are aligned to the drilling column, as they are threaded and inserted for the drilling operation.

The pictures below, from 2 to 15, are related to said patent request:

Picture 2—support perspective view, from its threaded nozzle fro screwing the coating rod threaded pin and, alongside it, a view from the cable hook receptor eyelet, connected to the probe hoist. In such view, section A-A is indicated;

Picture 3—support section A-A;

Pictures 4 and 5—section A-A, as it shows before and after being screwed by its threaded nozzle to the coating tube threaded pin;

Picture 6—perspective view, as it shows the support screwed to the coating tube column;

Picture 7—perspective view showing the support coupled by its eyelet, by the hook connected to the probe hoist cable;

Picture 8—section A-A, as it shows the tube coupled to the support, directed at the chuck, on the shaft head;

Picture 9—section A-A, as it shows the tube positioned by the probe hoist, locked by the chuck cylindrical bracket and exposing its threaded pin;

Picture 10—section A-A, as it shows a following tube aligned to its threaded box, screwed to the coating tube threaded pin, which is already locked to the chuck cylindrical bracket;

Picture 11—section A-A, as it shows a following tube already screwed to its threaded box on the first tube threaded pin. As it is known, after threading other tubes, the coating column is formed, as the shaft is deepened;

Picture 12—section A-A, as it shows the chuck with its cylindrical bracket locking the coating tube column. Alongside it, detail A;

Picture 13—section A-A, as it shows the open cylindrical bracket to insert the coating column, which, in this condition, is still lifted by the probe hoist;

Picture 14—section A-A, as it shows the cable connected to the probe has broken, and as the chuck cylindrical bracket is open, the column will surpass them and suddenly drop inside the shaft;

Picture 15—section A-A, as it shows that after coming across the support collar, the chuck cylindrical bracket locks the entire coating column in the stopper system, preventing the said assembled coating tube column to fall inside the shaft.

According to the attached drawings, the “SUPPORT WITH A DELIMITING COLLAR FOR A COATING COLUMN, FOR LOCKING THE STOPPER SYSTEM ABOVE THE PROBING EQUIPMENT CHUCK”, purpose of such patent of invention request, is comprised of a support (1) with an eyelet (2) on its upper part (3), from which the tubular structure comes from (4), as before the threaded nozzle (5), it incorporates a stress (7) staggered collar (6), as show in pictures 2 and 3.

This way, the support (1) may provide a new safety system when it assembles, lifts/lowers the coating tube assembly (T), comprised of threaded pins (P) and boxes (C) that comprise the coating column (R). That column (R) is used in the cementing phase of the void gap between the coating and drilling shaft wall (PO), with gas/oil probe equipment.

As it is shown in picture 4, by its threaded nozzle (5), such support (1) is aligned, then as picture 5 shows, it is threaded to the threaded pin (P) of a first tube (T), as it is shown in picture 6. Afterwards, as shown in picture 7, by the eyelet (2), the support (1) gets the hook (G) inserted, which is connected to the probe hoist (not shown) cable (CA), from which said tube (T) is directed towards to, as picture 8 shows, in the platform and fixed by the chuck cylindrical bracket (M) of the probing equipment, along with the shaft (PO). The chuck (M) cylindrical bracket is closed, enveloping and locking the first tube (T) with the tubular structure partially inserted in the shaft (PO), aligned to expose its threaded pin (P), as picture 9 shows.

The support (1) is then removed and threaded to a following tube (T1), whose threaded box (C) is aligned to the threaded pin (P) of the first tube (T), as picture 10 shows, to screw them both, as picture 11 shows. In this condition, the assembled tubes and that form the coating column (R), are locked by the chuck (M) cylindrical bracket, as picture 12 details show.

During the time the assembled tubes set is inserted to the shaft (PO), the chuck (M) cylindrical bracket is opened and said coating column remains lifted by the probe hoist cable (CA), whose hook (G) is fixed to the support (1) eyelet (2), as shown in picture 13. In this condition, due to the coating column (R) weight, e.g.: if the probe hoist cable (CA) breaks, as picture 14 shows, and the tube set starts to fall suddenly (freely) in the shaft (PO), the drop course is immediately interrupted when the collar (6), as its diameter is bigger than the chuck (M) cylindrical bracket open radius, it is locked over them, in a stopper system, as picture 15 and the expanded detail B show.

Thus the coating column (R) does not fall inside the shaft (PO), as it is supported on the chuck (M) cylindrical bracket, which may be closed again to take actions.

A sequence of operational procedures is listed below for the production coating lowering. The indicated technical specifications in English are used in all national territory and, therefore, are kept in this patent request.

-   -   1 QHSE     -   1.1 Wear the complete PPE for operations within the area;     -   1.2 Make a work risk evaluation, when necessary;     -   1.3 Open a work permit (PT), when necessary;     -   1.4 Wear a safety belt while working at high heights;     -   1.5 While checking unsafe operations or conditions, suspend the         work;     -   1.6 Isolate the area while moving loads, carrying out hot         working. Pressure tests etc.;     -   1.7 If you have any doubts about such works, call a safety         technician or consult a supervisor.     -   2 Initial Inspection     -   2.1 Ensure the wear bushing is recovered while concluding the         drilling operation, after removing the column from the shaft         (“SDS-PROC-PI-002—Wear Bushing Installation and Uninstalling”).         Remember the blind compartment shall be closed between         operations in order to keep the shaft safety;     -   2.2 Ensure 4½″ tube compartment is replaced by 3½″ tube         compartments, and after replacing it, carry out BOP full or         partial test, depending on the last test date, following the         procedure “SDS-PROC-PI-001—BOP Test”;     -   2.3 Have a tally promptly, prepared by Operator's Company Man,         assuring the coating is duly jigged before lowering it in the         shaft;     -   2.4 Provide the platform with all equipment and procedures         needed to lower the coating.     -   3 Tools needed for lowering 3.1 Bucking machine;     -   3.2 Monkey wrench;     -   3.3 Spinning wrench with Torque wrench;     -   3.4 Hammer;     -   3.5 Special lubricant for coating; 3.6 Steel brush and lime;     -   3.7 Spinning Head: 3½″ DE—Thread 2⅞″NW CX×3½″FJL VAM Pin×5000         psi Spinning Head 3½″ DE—Thread 2⅞″ NW Pin×3½″FJL VAM Box×5000         psi. 3.8 Spinning Head 4½″ DE—Thread 2⅞″ NW×5000 psi and         Spinning Head 3½″ DE—Thread 2⅞″ NW×5000 psi;     -   3.8 Lifting Coating Sub 3½″ VAM TOP—Thread 3½″ FJL VAM Box and         Lifting Coating Sub 3½″ VAM TOP—Thread 3½″ FJL VAM Pin×5000 psi;     -   3.9 Let Down Tube 3½″ DE—Thread 3½″ HRQ Pin×3½″ HRQ Box×5000         psi, Crossing Sub 4½″ DE—Thread 3½″ HRQ Pin×3½″ EUE Box×5000         psi, Crossing Sub 4½″ DE—Thread 3½″ EUE Pin×3½″ HRQ Box×5000         psi;     -   3.10 Steel-cable coating lifter; 3.11 Scrambler for 30 tons;     -   3.12 A coating joint Pin VAM FJL 3½″×Pin VAM FJL 3½″;     -   3.13 Manual wedge set with clamping jaws 3½″; 3.14 Araldite for         flats and float collars (if needed);     -   3.15 Centralizers for coating of 3½″ (in a shaft of 4⅞″).     -   3.16 Coating jig with drift of 2,797″;     -   3.17 Coating lifter with a diameter of 7 1/16″.     -   4 Coating lowering procedure     -   4.1 Move all accessories and tools to the rig floor, such as         spinning heads, coating lifter, spinning wrenches, torque         wrenches, lubricants, oils etc;     -   4.2 Open the blind compartment to lower coating;     -   4.3 Coatings of 3½″ with 9.2 lb/ft (13.69 kg/m) may be placed         longitudinally regarding the probing length and shall be         positioned in the headframe beside the tube slope, to raise them         with a probe hoist and pipe handler. Ends with female threads         VAM FJL shall be turned to the platform. Promptly have the         Lifting Sub, with male thread VAM FJL. It shall not exceed an OD         of 3½″;     -   4.4 Install the manual wedge set under the opened foot clamp;     -   4.5 Remove the spinning head upper part;     -   4.6 Replace the clamping jaw set of 3½″ in the hydraulic chuck         and foot clamp of Genesis Probe. Install 3 guide sleeves of 3½″:         on top and on the base of the drill head and on top of the foot         clamp. Remove the buses and lower the “leather cap” in the front         and lower part of the probe rod, allowing the view of thread         coupling;     -   4.7 By using two monkey wrenches (24″) or spinning wrenches,         previously screw Lifting Subs described in items 3.9, available         in coatings, according to tally. Screw Lifting Subs as much as         possible.     -   5 First step from 0 to 1500 m (hoist capacity of 40 klb or 18         ton);     -   5.1 The coating lowering shall be started with an open chuck;     -   5.2 With a hydraulic headframe beside the rod slope, lift the         first coating joint with the connected Lifting Sub;     -   5.3 With a probe hoist already prepared with the lifter and         cable scrambler (30 tons), raise the tube of 3½″ and put it into         the hole;     -   5.4 With a bucking machine, torque the connection between         Lifting Sub and coating.     -   5.5 Still with the hoist, lift the joint and place it over the         shaft, with its (female) connection over the foot clamp;     -   5.6 Close the foot clamp, open the lifter and by using the         bucking machine, break the connection torque with the Lifting         Sub;     -   5.7 With a hydraulic headframe beside the rod slope, lift the         next coating tube of 3½″ with the connected Lifting Sub;     -   5.8 With a probe hoist already prepared with the lifter and         cable scrambler (30 tons), raise the tube of 3½″ and put it into         the hole;     -   5.9 With a bucking machine, torque the connection between         Lifting Sub and coating.     -   5.10 Raise the coating joint form the hole, placing it over the         foot clamp, which is closed, holding the coating joint weight         already lowered, leaving a coupling space to the bucking         machine;     -   5.11 Move the bucking machine, placing it between the coating         joints; Still with a probe hoist, lower the coating smoothly         inside the bucking machine, place the tube male thread FJL         within the female thread, starting the first manual screw or         with the help of a monkey wrench. 

1) “SUPPORT WITH DELIMITING COLLAR FOR A COATING COLUMN”, comprised of a support (1) used during the assembly, lifting and lowering of coating tubes (T) of the coating column (R), fixed or free to/from the chuck (M) cylindrical bracket (M), on the gas/oil probing equipment platform, along with the drilling shaft (PO), as said support (1) equipped with an eyelet (2) in its upper part (3), from which extends its tubular structure (4) that has a lower inner threaded nozzle (5), characterized by said support (1), incorporating, before the threaded nozzle (5), a stress (7) staggered collar (6). 2) “SUPPORT WITH DELIMITING COLLAR FOR A COATING COLUMN”, according to claim 1, characterized by the support (1) collar (6) dimensioned with a diameter bigger than the chuck (M) cylindrical support opening radius in the probing equipment. 3) “LOCKING THE STOPPER SYSTEM ABOVE THE PROBING EQUIPMENT CHUCK”, according to claims 1 and 2, after assembling the coating tube column (T), as the support (1) is attached to the probe hoist cable (CA) by a hook (G) and the coating column (R) is fixed by the chuck cylindrical bracket (M), while opening the latter and as said coating column (R) is lifted to be inserted or removed from the shaft (PO), in case of breakages, avoiding sudden lowering, characterized by the collar (6) locking over the chuck (M) cylindrical support, in a stopper system. 